Hi, my name is Riley McNamara. I’m a recent Hood River Valley High School (HRVHS) graduate and am thrilled to have the opportunity to write for the Columbia Gorge News this summer.
Born to two parents who work for the federal government, bureaucracy was my first language. But my fascination with public policy only grew after the Covid-19 pandemic. As a bystander to how national level policies affected the country motivated me to research further into politics and policy. I took this fascination with me to high school, where I joined the debate team. Through debate I built skills in communication, collaboration, and analysis.
Despite my obsession with political science and policy, in the fall I will be heading to Oregon State University, where I am majoring in electrical and computer engineering. I also plan to minor in both computer science and political science, with a focus on energy policy.
While working to understand governance and public administration has been a guiding force for my time in high school, math and science will always be my first love. I first found my calling through my grandfathers — both engineers — who would tell stories about working at Bell Labs or GM and show off their custom-made drones drudged out from their well-used workshop. I will use the skills I learned from debate, along with what I will learn from the Columbia Gorge News to make a greater impact on the world.
Through Columbia Gorge News, I am excited to delve deeper into local policy, and its impact on my community before I head to OSU. Before I leave, I hope to meet the people that make the Hood River community thrive and see what they do to ensure our town is as great as the gorgeous scenery that surrounds it.
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